Morean Center for Clay at 51¸£ÀûÉç

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About

The Morean Ceramics Research Center (MCRC) is a year-round workshop series that brings the best in contemporary ceramics to the campus of Western Michigan University. The MCRC hosts hands-on studio intensive workshops with local and visiting ceramic artists and designers from around the country and around the world. Through demonstration and in-depth discussion, participants experiment and produce artwork under the mentorship of our talented instructors, creating an inspiring and unforgettable experience.

 

Morean Ceramics Research Center
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5213 USA

Workshop Formats

2-Week Summer Intensive Workshops

  • Invited Visiting Instructor(s)
  • 9:00am – 4:30pm daily (with lunch break)
  • 8am-10pm studio access (24hr studio access for enrolled 51¸£ÀûÉç students)
  • Clay, Glaze Materials and Firings Included

8-Week Special Topics Workshops

  • Local Instructor(s)
  • Twice weekly class meetings (ex. Mon & Wed 6pm-9pm)
  • 8am-10pm studio access excluding other class periods (24hr studio access for enrolled 51¸£ÀûÉç students)
  • Clay available for purchase, glaze materials and firings included.

Weekend Workshops

  • Invited and Local Visiting Instructor(s)
  • 9:00am – 4:30pm daily (with lunch break)
  • Clay available for purchase, glaze materials and firings included.

51¸£ÀûÉç CERAMICS

The Ceramics Area provides students with the foundational discipline and professional skills to succeed in their careers as artists, craftspersons and designers. Students are introduced to all facets of professional practice within the ceramic arts. This includes hand building, wheel throwing, slip casting and mold making, clay and glaze formulation, kiln firing and studio management. The ceramic curriculum enables students to explore the use of clay and related tools and materials in support of their art and design practice, while initiating dialog with issues of utility, aesthetic expression, and diverse contemporary topics. The curriculum challenges students to think critically about their work and the work of others, and to articulate informed ideas in order to advance their understanding of a broad variety of methodologies, including contemporary and emerging technology.

FACILITIES:

Equipment:

  • 30 Pottery Wheels
  • Two Brent Slab-Rollers
  • Laguna Spray Booth 
  • Soldner and Bluebird Clay Mixers
  • Bluebird and Shimpo Pugmills
  • Shimpo Ball Mill
  • 30 Gallon Slip Tank
  • 2 Heated Plaster Drying Cabinets
  • Access to forklift and mobile gantry crane

Indoor Kilns:

  • 7 computer-controlled electric kilns
  • 2 electric test kilns   
  • 32 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft kiln
  • 90 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln
  • 180 cu. ft. gas-fired downdraft car kiln

Outdoor Kilns:

  • 300 cu. ft. wood-fired barrel-arched anagama kiln
  • 50 cu. ft. wood/gas-fired cross draft soda kiln
  • 6 cu. feet gas-fired drum/cantilevered raku kiln
  • 40 cu. ft gas-fired updraft kiln